KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The UMKC women’s soccer team hits the road this weekend for a pair of conference matches against CSU Bakersfield on Friday, Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. CT and Grand Canyon on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. CT. The Roos will put their three game winning streak on the line as they look to build on an impressive start to Western Athletic Conference play.

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Both contests will be broadcast on the WAC Digital Network free of charge. Fans can also follow along for live updates through the team’s Twitter account.

About the Roos

UMKC (7-6-1, 2-0 WAC) got off to a hot start in WAC play last weekend, claiming 3-0 victories over both Utah Valley and Seattle U at Durwood Stadium. The successful weekend marked just the second time the program has opened WAC play with two wins since joining the conference in the 2013-14 season. The win over Seattle U also marked career victory number 350 for head coach ChrisCissell.

The Roos enter the weekend having played extremely well over the past few weeks, winning five of their last six contests while impressively allowing just one goal in those six matches. The team sits atop the conference standings heading into the second weekend of conference play, tied with UT Rio Grande Valley at 2-0 to lead the conference.

Series History

UMKC has fared quite well in the series history with their upcoming WAC opponents and looks to continue their winning ways. The Roos have yet to fall to the Roadrunners of CSU Bakersfield, owning a 6-0 series advantage. Last season, UMKC claimed two victories over the Roadrunners, winning the first matchup 3-0 before a 4-0 victory in the WAC Tournament.

The Roos are 3-1-1 all-time against Grand Canyon heading into Sunday’s contest. UMKC opened the series history with three consecutive wins in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Last season, the teams fought hard to 0-0 draw after double overtime.

Defensive Domination

There is no question that the UMKC defense has been stellar in the 2017 season and continues to show up game after game. Since a 4-0 loss to Oklahoma State on Aug. 20, the Roos have allowed one goal or fewer in ten of their last twelve matches. The team ranks near or at the top of the WAC in nearly every defensive statistical category, which includes leading the conference in shutouts (7), second in goals allowed (14) and second in goals against average (.98). Additionally, their team shutout percentage ranks among the top-50 in the NCAA.

UMKC is led defensively by sophomore defender Abby Small(Kansas City, Mo.). Small and the rest of her defensive line were recognized this week for their fantastic performance last weekend when Small earned WAC Defensive Player of the Wek honors by the league office. The back line will continue to work hard in limiting opposing attacks and protecting their keepers from quality shots.

About the Roadrunners

CSU Bakersfield (5-8-1, 0-1-1 WAC) are desperately searching for a spark after going 0-5-1 in their last six matches. The Roadrunners are led offensively by forward Kamari Hines and midfielder Alexa Orrante, who share the team lead in goals at five apiece. Orrante is also second on the team with two assists and leads CSU Bakersfield in points with 12 on the season. Hines has been a clutch player for the team, with four of her goals serving as game-winners which ranks tied for first in the WAC. The Roadrunners relied on one goalkeeper to this point in the season, with sophomore keeper Jordan Bertram logging all of the team’s minutes between the posts. She holds a goals against average of 1.7 and is tied for second in the WAC with 62 saves this season.

About the Lopes

Grand Canyon (3-10-1, 0-2 WAC) has also not fared well of late, losing their previous seven contests prior to the weekend. The Lopes will host Chicago State on Friday, Oct. 13 as a chance to build momentum before squaring off with UMKC in Sunday’s match. GCU hasn’t been shy in taking shots, ranking second in the WAC with 208 shots on the year. The impressive shot total has not led to for the Lopes however, as they rank seventh with just nine goals this season. Expect a physical approach from the Lopes as a team who enters match with a conference-high twelve yellow cards this year. Two-way defender Madison Cox leads GCU with three goals on the year. Goalkeeper Blakely Fraasch has recorded all of the team’s minutes in net in 2017 season, ranking sixth in the WAC in goals against average (1.32) and save percentage (.743).

Up Next

The Roos will return home to host UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. CT before traveling to New Mexico State on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. CT. Both games will be broadcast free of charge on the WAC Digital Network. Friday’s match will also have Live Stats provided.